Qianhu Miao Village
Xijiang Qianhu Miao located about 35 km southeast of Kaili City, the capital of Qiandongnan,Guizhou Province, is a vintage village that consists of 10 ethnic villages. The village is well-preserved. It is a nice place to enjoy the surrounding natural beauty and to experience and understand the deep history of Miao.
Being the largest village of Miao ethnic at home and abroad, there are about 1300 families with a total population of more than 10,000 people living there. Qianhu means that there are over 1,000 families living there. There are a cluster of wooden houses lying on the bottom of the LeigongMountain. A clear river named Baishui River runs alongside Qianhu.
The traditional songs and dances by locals, buildings, souvenir shops showing the local folk customs perfectly.
History
The Miao people in Xijiang shares a history with over 5,000 years dating back to Chiyou Tribe, one of the primitive peoples in ancient China. The Chiyou Tribe had a series of wars with the Yellow Emperor and Yan Emperor. Chiyou Tribe was defeated by Yellow Emperor. Then Chiyou Tribe began to migrate south with their cattle in search of new settlement.
Some people of Chiyou Tribe settled in southeast Guizhou Province in the end. Nowadays, Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village still keeps a profound and thorough Miao Culture. The surroundings there are ecological. Travelers can easily find locals live a simple and original life.
Folk Culture
As the largest and one of the oldest Miao villages in China, Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village is the essence of Miao Culture. The buildings, ethnic festivals, delicacies, customs there are not only unique but also fantastic.
The Singing and Dance Show
Miao people are good at dancing and singing. Everyone there is a talented dancer and singer. Taking a stroll in this Miao village, travelers can listen to traditional songs and watch folk dances showing by locals. Travelers can participate in this elegant show and enjoy a pleasant time with the friendly locals.
The songs and dances usually playing with a unique instrument named Lusheng, a reed pipe that widely using for performances.
Lusheng Festival
It is the most universal festival among the gathering places of Miao. It begins on the sixteenth day in the first lunar month and end up three days later. The original purpose of this festival are: celebrating the coming of New Year, praying for a good harvest and providing a chance for courtship among young people.
Nowadays, the Lusheng Festival has become a general and popular annual celebration. And it is said that the core of this festival is the courtship ritual. At this festival, young people dressed in festival costumes were gathering in a Lusheng Square.
The young males begin to play lusheng with forming a circle in the purpose of expressing their love. If a girl fell in love with one of young males, she will tie ribbons on his lusheng. Then they become lovers. Travelers can take part in this festival if they like.
Taking part in local festivals can make travelers gain better understanding of Miao people and Miao Culture.
Night Scene in Xijiang
When the night falls there will be a pleasant scene. With thousands of lights shining, the village looks like the world of lights. Travelers can enjoy the beautiful night scene in the viewing platform or by taking a sightseeing bus.
The Architectures
Diaojiaolou
It is a traditional building, which usually building beside rivers and mountains. The special house plays an essential role in local’s daily life. In order to save more farmland and build more houses, Miao people make every effort to build houses along mountains and rivers. This wooden cottage mainly divided into three parts. The bottom of the house (the first floor) is used for storing sundries, agricultural implements, poultry etc.
The second floor is used as kitchen, bathroom and living room. And a unique place called Jiexi (Miao language) is built out of the second floor, which using for rest, embroidery. The third floor usually used as a granary or store house for storing living materials and grain.
Besides, it can protect locals from attack by snakes and wild beasts.
Fengyu Bridge
In addition to Diaojiaolou (Hanging House), Fengyu bridge also plays an important role there. It is built by Miao people in the purpose of improving living conditions and protecting local environment. There are five Fengyu bridges made of the mixed construction of cement and wood. These bridges can withstand flood.
The Silverwares
Silverwares are delicate artworks. All Miao women there wear silverwares like bangles, rings, necklaces and headdresses etc. There is a famous Yingjiang Village (Silversmith Village) and all the silverwares are handmade. Travelers can buy silverwares in local stores throughout the village as souvenirs.
Local Delicacies
There are some delicate dishes like glutinous rice cake, rice whisky and fried tofu curb and boiled fish with pickled Chinese cabbage and chili. The best place to go is one of the specialty stalls in the day/night market of the village. The specialties here are the most traditional and delicious.
There are some stalls that provides delicacy-making for travelers. Travelers are welcome to join in.
How to Get There
Take a bus or a taxi at Kaili Bus Station can easily access there.
Nearby Attractions
There are lots of picturesque ethnic villages like Zhouxi Miao Village and Matang Village around Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village. Zhouxi Miao Village is a nice place to enjoy a primitive life while Matnag Village is a Gejia Ethnic village that famous for its artistic paper art.